With the UCLA-bound Allen still recovering from a left fractured wrist, the Palma basketball team nearly led start to finish en route to a 59-48 victory at a packed Salinas High gym.

"We played really well defensively and did a good job of getting after their shooters," Palma coach Paul Alioto said. "We also really moved the ball well."

Alioto said the Cowboys' DeAndre Sheppard provided a spark off the bench as Salinas cut the deficit to nine in the third quarter.

"He came in and put the ball on the floor and created a couple of easy baskets for some guys," he said.

Both teams spread out their scoring, with three players in double figures. Josef Delk led the Cowboys with 12 points and seven rebounds. Sebastian Pagano and Zachary Teeter both scored 11.

Will Chilton led the Chieftains with 11.

"I thought Will Chilton did a great job in the second half coming off the bench with his scoring, making a couple of 3s and stretching the defense," Alioto said.

Jacob Taylor and Peter Lucas both had 10 for Palma. But Alioto pointed to Jack Burlison, saying he played his best game of the year.

"He was steady, hit a big 3 at the top of the key when the game was under double digits, and he helped put us back over double digits with a huge shot," he said.

Palma (12-4, 4-2 Monterey Bay League Gabilan Division) keeps pace with the first place San Benito Balers with the win and remains in second, two games out. Salinas falls to 2-4 in league play and 11-7 overall.

The Chieftains have bounced back with a win after each of their losses this season.

"We've had three really tough losses in the past couple of weeks ... but we've come right back the game after and put something together," Alioto said.

Allen practiced with his teammates before the game and at halftime with a brace on his wrist, but never entered the game.

"A lot of the guys are kind of role players around (Allen), so we've just asked them to keep doing the things that they've been doing, and some other guys have had to step up and be a little more aggressive," Alioto said.

The Chieftains are hoping that Allen can return to the starting lineup on Feb. 1 against Seaside after getting x-rays the day before.

"Not only can he get his own shot, but he makes everyone around him better because he gets them easy shots," Alioto said.